Ukraine, UK to Co-Produce Octopus-100 Interceptor Drones
Ukraine and the United Kingdom are teaming up to mass-produce thousands of Octopus-100 interceptor drones.
Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said the agreement was signed in London under the Build with Ukraine initiative. This marks the first time a Ukrainian combat drone will be built in a NATO country.
The Octopus-100, developed in Ukraine, is an autonomous interceptor drone designed to detect and destroy enemy UAVs mid-air using onboard sensors and advanced targeting systems.
Its mass production abroad underscores a shift toward building a sustainable defense supply chain through allied industrial bases, ensuring faster replenishment of frontline equipment.
The agreement also signals a growing role for the UK as a manufacturing and testing hub for defense systems developed by Ukraine, a move that could set a precedent for other NATO members.
The deal is a new stage in Ukraine–UK defense cooperation, which aims to accelerate drone deliveries to Ukrainian forces, bolster domestic production capacity, and strengthen industrial ties between the two countries.
Ukraine’s Expanding Defense Partnerships
Ukraine’s co-production of the Octopus-100 is part of a broader push to strengthen its defense industry through international collaboration.
Earlier in 2025, Kyiv signed agreements with France’s Delair to co-develop reconnaissance drones and with Germany’s Rheinmetall to establish a joint maintenance hub for armored vehicles in Ukraine.
In 2024, Ukraine also launched a joint venture with Denmark’s Terma Group to produce radar and air defense components locally.
Additionally, ongoing collaborations with the US have supported the assembly of loitering munitions and counter-drone systems under US defense assistance programs, reinforcing Ukraine’s shift toward long-term, NATO-aligned defense production.
